Pdf Format - American Philatelic Society

Member
Services
Handbook
American Philatelic Society
America’s Stamp Club
12/2013
Welcome to America’s Stamp Club
Learn More, Do More, Enjoy More with APS
Take advantage of your member services, there’s Something for Everyone!
Administrative Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Address Changes • Register your Collecting Interests
Mailing List Requests • Dispute Resolution
Contact Us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Clubs and Specialty Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Dealer Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Education — Learning Never Ends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–5
Expertizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Magazine — The American Philatelist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Mail Sales Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–9
Mentor Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Online Stamp Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Protect Your Collection
Estate Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Insurance Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Stamp Theft Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Recruit Members & Earn $5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Shows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Stamp Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Stay Connected. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Teacher Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Translation Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Visit Us
American Philatelic Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Website/Online Resources/Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Young Stamp Collectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
American Philatelic Society
American Philatelic Research Library
100 Match Factory Place • Bellefonte, PA 16823-1367
Phone: 814-933-3803 • Fax: 814-933-6128
Hours Monday through Friday: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Both the building and the Library are closed on all major holidays.
Executive Director
Ken Martin, ext. 218
kpmartin@stamps.org
Controller
Rick Banks, ext. 216
rbanks@stamps.org
Director of Information
Services/Librarian
Tara Murray, ext. 246
tmurray@stamps.org
Manager of Membership
Administration
Judy Johnson, ext. 210
judy@stamps.org
Address Changes:
requests@stamps.org
Director of Circuit Sales
Thomas W. Horn, ext. 227
twhorn@stamps.org
Director of Education & Volunteers
Gretchen Moody, ext. 239
gretchen@stamps.org
Young Stamp Collectors of America
Janet Houser, ext. 238
jehouser@stamps.org
Director of Expertizing
Mercer Bristow, ext. 205
mercer@stamps.org
Director of Information
Technology/Webmaster
Wendy Masorti, ext. 202
wendy@stamps.org
Director of Internet Sales
Renee Gardner, ext. 270
StampStore@stamps.org
Director of Shows and Exhibitions
Dana Guyer, ext. 207
dana@stamps.org
Barb Johnson, ext. 217
barbj@stamps.org
Show Time Listings
showtime@stamps.org
Public Relations Manager
Doris Wilson, ext. 223
doris@stamps.org
The American Philatelist
Barbara Boal, ext. 221
baboal@stamps.org
Advertising Information
Helen Bruno, ext. 224
adsales@stamps.org
Stay Connected With APS
www.stamps.org
http://blog.stamplibrary.org
Twitter.com/APS_Stamps • Twitter.com/Stamplibrary
www.youtube.com/user/AmericasStampClub
www.facebook.com/american.philatelic.society
www.pinterest.com/amphilatelicsoc/
www.linkedin.com/company/American-Philatelic-Society
www.pinterest.com/stamplibrary/
2 APS Handbook of Services
The American Philatelist
The American Philatelist is the premier philatelic magazine in the nation and the oldest
continuously published philatelic journal in the world. This award-winning monthly publication
features:
• Colorful articles, with subjects ranging from topicals to postal history, cinderellas to
revenues, research to philatelic memories — all written by APS members.
• Calendar of upcoming stamp shows and exhibitions.
• Society news, resources, and sources for stamps.
• Advertisements from the world’s leading stamp dealers.
• And much more!
The AP also is available online at www.stamps.org/American-Philatelist. Members must
sign in to gain access. From the pages of the online version readers can click on links and
directing them to a particular advertiser or APS service. Other highlights of the digital AP are
printer-friendly pages; a downloadable PDF version; a translation application; a zoom tool to
see enlargements of the pages, stamps, or covers; and more. Other online perks for members
include Bonus Content (www.stamps.org/AP-Album) and archives of issues back to 2007.
Write an Article — We welcome articles about any aspect of philately, so long as they are
original with the AP. You may request “Author Guidelines” from or submit your manuscript to:
The American Philatelist, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823 or e-mail at aparticle@
stamps.org or online at www.stamps.org.
Advertise — If you would like to advertise in the AP, call 814-933-3818 or e-mail
adsales@stamps.org for our ad rates and deadlines. Ad design services available.
Learning through APS
Affiliates & Chapters
Join a national group that specializes in your
areas of interests or find a club in your area!
Affiliates
National Specialty Societies
An APS affiliate is a national organization formed for the
study of a special area of philately. The APS has 200 affiliates
specializing in everything from Air Mail to Zeppelins. Each
group is affiliated with the APS, but is a separate organization
offering varying services to its members. Nearly all publish
specialized journals.
How To Join an APS Affiliate
Contact the APS to receive a list of current affiliates or visit
www.stamps.org/Specialty-Societies for an online directory with
contact addresses, websites, and e-mails. Application forms for
APS affiliates are available from the APS, 100 Match Factory
Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823; 814-933-3803, ext. 201, or by
contacting the societies directly from the information provided
on the APS website.
Local Stamp Clubs
Looking to find a club in your area? The APS has 500+ local
clubs throughout the U.S. and many countries. All are chapter
members of the APS, but each is a separate organization offering
its own services to its members. Visit www.stamps.org/LocalClubs to find the nearest APS club in your area, the time and
location of its meetings, and contact information.
The APS supports its chapters through the Chapter Activities
Committee, which sponsors a publication contest and conducts
other programs for local clubs. The APS also offers clubs the
use of audio visual programs, CDs, sales circuits, and the help of
exhibition judges. Free show listings on the APS Show Calendar
and mailing lists are available to chapters to help promote their
club and any upcoming events.
If your Specialty Group or Local Club is interested in the benefits of joining forces with the APS,
contact us today for details: 814-933-3803, or visit us online at www.stamps.org
APS Handbook of Services 3
Learning Never Ends with APS...
Information, Courses, Clubs & Specialty Groups, Books, Magazine Articles, Library…
Whether you are a beginning stamp
collector or have collected for years,
the APS provides opportunities to
broaden your interests and enhance
your collecting enjoyment!
Answers Are a Member Service
Fast, friendly information is one of the most valuable
benefits of APS membership! The APS staff offers responses to
questions like: “My mint stamps are stuck together, how do I
get them apart?” “Where can I find supplements for my stamp
album?” “How do I collect plate blocks from the self-adhesive
stamp sheets?”
Answers may involve referring a member to library
materials, matching a member with a mentor, or suggesting an
affiliated club for collectors who are looking for more in-depth
support.
While our staff does not have all the answers, they often
can point you to an individual, dealer, philatelic publication, or
another organization that can meet your specific need.
We also offer a Q&A section on our website that is packed
with helpful information. Visit www.stamps.org.
Information on Getting Started
Free informational brochures are available upon request or in
pdf format on our website. The brochures cover the basics such
as where to find stamps; tools of the hobby; soaking, sorting and
mounting stamps; and more!
Available online at the APS education page is introductory
information about the hobby. Here you can discover how stamps
came to be, tips on getting started, and how to improve your
stamp collection. The APS also offers a variety of publications
for sale, and material just for beginners.
Mentor Services
The dictionary defines a mentor as “a wise and trusted
counselor,” combining the instructional attributes of a teacher
with the insights of a guide or seasoned traveling companion. At
the APS, a mentor is a fellow collector who is familiar with the
territory you’re just discovering, a philatelic friend who can help
show you the lay of the land.
APS Mentor Service — The APS Mentor Service allows you
to tap into the talent and experience we have available among
our members Mentors answer questions by mail, e-mail, or
phone contact. To participate, complete the Mentor Request
form (enclosed in the front of your handbook) and mail it to the
Education Department with $2 mint postage.
4 APS Handbook of Services
Summer Seminar students hard at work.
APS StampBuddy Service — The StampBuddy Service goal
is to make your stamp collecting experience enjoyable.
A StampBuddy mentor who has similar interests and the
desire to help fellow collectors will be matched with you.
A mentor can accompany you to a show, club meeting, or
dealer. Your mentor can also advise you on how to store
your stamps and covers, where to buy your supplies,
and much more. StampBuddy mentors have a wealth
of information and are eager to share it with the new
collector. Go to the APS website to learn more: www.
stamps.org/StampBuddy.
Education Courses
The APS Education Department offers both traditional
and online courses. The traditional courses are offered at the
American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte as well as at various
venues around the United States, usually in connection with a
stamp show.
Traditional Courses
• Adult Beginner’s Workshop— Stamp Collecting 101, a
half-day beginner’s workshop for adults age 15 and up, is
an opportunity to learn a great deal about the hobby in a
short time from friendly stamp experts. The workshop is
held during the Society’s annual AmeriStamp Expo and
StampShow. Topics covered include how to understand
and use the Scott Catalogue; basic tools of the hobby;
how to mount and store philatelic material; how to soak
stamps off paper; and how to identify worldwide stamps.
A small fee is charged to cover the cost of materials.
Contact the Education Department for more details.
• Summer Seminar on Philately — Every June some of
the greatest experts in the hobby — and collectors
eager to learn from them — gather for a week-long,
intensive, hands-on program. Small classes allow highly
personalized instruction and sharing of information.
Each student selects one “major” course of study. Elective
courses and group sessions allow students to sample
topics outside their major course. The week includes
tours of the American Philatelic Center, use of the
Sales Division and the Library, an auction of studentconsigned material, and social events.
• APS Courses “On the Road” — The APS occasionally
offers educational courses prior to large national shows
in major cities. Frequently, the course content is tailored
to what collectors in that area wish to learn.
Online Courses at APS StampCampus
Online courses are available at various times throughout
the year and vary in format from live Internet classes to
correspondence. Check the APS website for specific
course topics and dates. Each course is written by
collectors for collectors.
• Basic Stamp Collecting (four lessons).
• Collecting First Day Covers (Parts 1& 2).
• Keys to Exhibiting (six lessons).
Publications
What better way to learn than through reading?
APS publications range from books and kits for the
beginner, to coffee table books, to scholarly works.
Members enjoy a generous 20% discount on many
Society publications.
For a complete list of publications, visit the APS
Shop at www.stamps.org/Publications or request a brochure by
phone: 814-933-3803 or e-mail: requests@stamps.org.
Just For Kids
Get an Early Start with APS
Stamp collecting is a hobby young people enjoy. Many older
stamp collectors got their start as children and credit their stamp
collecting hobby with success in school and academic endeavors.
Kids can enjoy the hobby by:
• Visiting “Just For Kids” at www.stamps.org — for
information, fun facts, activities, upcoming stamp
releases, and more!
• Joining an AllStar Stamp Club in your area — have fun
with young collectors just like you! Contact the APS
today for a club near you!
• Joining Young Stamp Collectors of America —
an Internet-based group for young collectors
under 18. As a member you will receive the
YSCA e-newsletter, special low prices on
collecting supplies, an exciting website, online
support via e-mail, and a monthly e-meeting!
Teacher/Leader Resources
Today’s teachers need standard-based lessons that meet the
needs of all their students, using hands-on methods. Stamps are
a terrific way to help children achieve. The APS assists teachers
by:
• Offering the “Stamps in the Classroom” workshop at
APS stamp shows and various teacher conventions and
conferences.
• Supporting teachers who join the AllStar Stamp Club
with philatelic material and activities.
• Making available a section of our website with free lesson
plans that incorporate stamps.
• Supplying leaders and teachers with
printable brochures for beginning stamp
collectors.
• Connecting with homeschool families to
provide training in using stamps to teach
and learn.
• Earning your Boy Scout Stamp Collecting
Merit Badge.
• Working with university professors in
training pre-service teachers on the use of
stamps in the classroom.
Contact YSCA@stamps.org for more information
on Youth Stamp Collecting activities.
• Offering the American Philatelic Center as
a site for classroom field trips.
APS Handbook of Services 5
American Philatelic Research Library
www.stamplibrary.org
the ultimate philatelic research site
The APRL has one of the world’s largest and most accessible
collections of philatelic literature. Housed in the American
Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, its nearly three
miles of shelving contain more than 21,000 book titles and 5,700
journal titles.
The Library Collection
The collection includes books and journals about worldwide
stamps and postal history, as well as the history of philately and
related subjects like transportation and geography. In addition to
books, journals, and newsletters, the Library has:
• Catalogs (general and specialized)
• Government documents
• Auction catalogs and price lists
• Stamp show programs and palmares
• Exhibits (copies of philatelic exhibits)
• CD- and DVD-ROMs
• A growing collection of digital resources
Special collections and archives include the Daniel Hines
Air Mail Collection; the American First Day Cover Society
Archives; reference files compiled by Ernest Kehr, Belmont
Faries, John Stark, and Forest Ellis; the Elliott Perry–Cyril dos
Passos correspondence files; post office documents collections;
and more.
The APRL collections have been strengthened over the years
through the acquisition of specialized libraries including the
State Revenue Society Library, American Revenue Association
Library, Polonus Philatelic Society Library, and the Postal
History Society Library.
Using the Library
Members are welcome to visit the library in Bellefonte, where
they can browse the collection, access archival materials, consult
with library staff, and use our comfortable research space.
Library collections and services can also be accessed from
anywhere in the world — when you have research questions,
e-mail us at aprl@stamps.org, call us at 814-933-3803, or
discover online resources at www.stamplibrary.org.
6 APS Handbook of Services
The APRL Delivers …
to your mailbox and your inbox
Search our catalog online at www.stamplibrary.org. Access
online publications and request book loans, photocopies, or
scans using the handy cart feature. The catalog also serves as the
Philatelic Union Catalog, allowing you to search the holdings of
multiple libraries and an article index simultaneously.
Services for APS members include:
• Book loans by mail
• Photocopy and scanning services
• Reference assistance
The Philatelic Literature Review
The APRL’s quarterly journal delivers indexes, bibliographies,
book reviews, library news, and “The Clearinghouse” — a
forum for buying and selling philatelic literature — in both print
and digital formats. The basic U.S. subscription — or a digital
subscription anywhere in the world — is just $18 a year.
In between issues, keep up with the latest news by following
the journal’s companion blog, Philatelic Literature & Research, at
http://blog.stamplibrary.org.
Tax-Exempt Status
The APRL is a public library under Pennsylvania law and
an authorized tax-exempt, nonprofit institution under Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The library welcomes donations of philatelic literature and
materials, archival items and collections, as well as monetary
contributions to secure the maintenance and growth of
library services. If you are considering a donation of literature
or archival material, please contact us in advance to make
arrangements.
APS Digital/Web Resources
Stamp collecting is a hobby that can be as diverse a pastime
as we wish it to be. For example, while many collectors prefer the
traditional pursuit of engraved stamps with water-activated gum
that allows a stamp to be easily removed from paper in water,
others may collect stampless covers, postmarks, or colorful
topicals that reflect another hobby. The APS continually strives
to address the interests and needs of all our varied members.
Although we maintain a traditional touch with our printed
monthly journal and though our direct mail sales circuits, we
also utilize technology to allow us to provide additional services
to help our members enhance their enjoyment of collecting.
Stamps.org
The world wide web provides an unparalleled opportunity
for groups and individuals to share vast amounts of information
at a relatively low cost. During 2013 the nearly 1,000 pages
on the APS website (www.stamps.org) were visited more than
a half million times. Some of the information we provide is
available to anyone, but the site also includes a members-only
area that includes such things as archived issues of The American
Philatelist and the Philatelic Literature Review. Members also can
access records of their recent transactions with the Society and
check on items they have available for sale or have submitted for
services such as Quick ID.
In addition to the general information on all APS services,
some of the most frequently visited pages include:
• Information on U.S. New Issues
• Free full-color, downloadable Album Pages
• Dealer contact information
• Local club and affiliate information
• Digital version of The American Philatelist
• Event and Show Calendar
• Literature holdings for the APRL and ten other libraries
• Scans of material in our Reference Collection
• Digital Exhibits
• Award-winning articles
• Free colorful, downloadable Cachets and Wallpaper
• Columns detailing differences between genuine and
forged stamps
• Detailed information on the Society and Library, including
our history, bylaws, budget, financial statements, annual tax
forms, ethics, and conflict of interest policies also are available.
E-Newsletter
The APS first issued monthly e-newsletters in 2000.
Revamped and expanded in 2008, the e-newsletter goes to all
members who have provided their e-mails and requested to be
included on the mailing list. The newsletter supplements the
monthly American Philatelist by allowing us to share more timely
news of the Society and current events in the hobby.
Online Courses
The Society offers an excellent online learning environment
with affordable, personalized instruction for newcomers to
the hobby. Each course is directed by a knowledgeable stamp
collector and provides lessons that aren’t buried in hobby jargon;
won’t demand expensive equipment, software, or materials; and
include open discussions in online chat groups. We currently
are offering three courses: Basics of Stamp Collecting, Keys to
Exhibiting, and Collecting First Day Covers.
Videos
With tens of thousands of stamp collectors in the philatelic
community, we realize that not everyone can attend our Summer
Seminar, our winter and summer stamp shows, the Postal
History Symposiums, and many other philatelic events around
the country. To broaden the audience for these exciting events,
we now videotape and post to the Internet portions of many
such activities and hobby-related talks. Additionally, we have
produced several videos on how to use the various APS services.
A listing of and links to our videos and select other philatelic
videos is available on the Stamp YouTubes page on our website.
Most of the videos are posted on the APS YouTube Channel.
Digital Programs, Publications and Exhibits
Traditionally, APS has provided a slide library of nearly 150
programs that we make available to our local chapters for the
cost of shipping. We have begun the process of converting these
programs to DVDs, most of which are available for purchase
in our online store. We also have converted a few traditional
print publications that are out of copyright, or for which we own
the copyright, to a digital format. Some of these are for sale on
DVDs and others can be accessed directly from our library’s
online catalogue (which allows searches for records with digital
content). A number of exhibitors also have given us permission
to post digital copies of their exhibits.
Online Shopping
In addition to our online StampStore, which offers nearly
250,000 stamps and covers for sale to APS members (and
provides members an opportunity to sell their material as well),
the APS offers a complete online shopping experience. Just click
on “Shop” on our home page and then on “Specialty Shops” to
see the range of available publications, hobby supplies, APS logo
merchandise, and gift cards.
Chapter Webpages
APS will produce and maintain a website for our individual
Chapters for $75 per year. This fee includes hosting and allows
up to four updates annually. If your club is interested in a
premium website that would allow updates, a blog, unlimited
pages, photo galleries, etc., please contact our webmaster, Wendy
Masorti (wendy@stamps.org), for further details and related costs.
Social Media
APS and APRL maintain a presence on major social media
platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter,
and Pinterest. Our Library also has its own blog (http://blog.
stamplibrary.org).
APS Handbook of Services 7
Buy & Sell through
APS Sales Circuits
“Mini Stamp Stores” Delivered to Your Home
For more than 125 years, the Sales Division has served as a
middleman for thousands of APS members who wish to buy and/or
sell stamps and covers — all from the convenience of their home!
What the Sales Division
Can Offer You!
• “Mini Stamp Shops” delivered to your home
• $8.0 million inventory
• More than 160 collecting categories
• No buying limit
• $215 average value per sales book
• Friendly staff
• Buyer satisfaction guaranteed
• Sellers’ books insured while circulating
• 40,000 sales books in circulation among members
• Examiners review items for correct identification
and authenticity
• Excellent customer service
(more than 150 combined
years of experience in the APS
Sales Division!)
What Is a “Circuit”?
Sales books containing
stamps or covers from a specific
category (country, topic, etc.)
are distributed in “circuits” to
prospective buyers who are
grouped geographically.
Buying — How Does It Work?
• Submit a completed Circuit Request form, available from
the Sales Division or online at www.stamps.org.
• Purchase a rubber stamp containing your initials and APS
number to mark the spaces in the sales book where you
have removed a stamp or cover for purchase.
Multiple-name Circuits
• Based on your zip code, you will be assigned to a circuit list
for each category you select.
8 APS Handbook of Services
• A selection of sales books is sent to the first person on
the circuit list. Purchases are marked with a personal
stamper, and the books and paperwork are forwarded to
the next member on the circuit within seven (7) days.
• Each shipment must be forwarded via first class or priority
mail, using the tracking method described in the mailing
instructions supplied in each circuit.
• Payment for items selected should be sent to the APS.
Local Club Circuits
Local APS chapters can request sales books for their
meetings. Mailings may be scheduled as frequently as once a
month. The contents of club circuits are selected based upon the
specific collecting interests of the club’s members.
Direct Individual Circuits
Seasonal – for members who reside “down South” for the
winter. Circuits are sent to each of the two locations directly
from APS.
On Demand — these circuits are sent on demand and based
on availability of selected categories. There is a charge for this
circuit.
Clearance — these circuits contain previously circulated
sales books offered as “buy-whole-book-or-nothing” at
discounted prices.
APS Visitors — for members traveling in the Central
Pennsylvania area and stopping at APS headquarters. The
in-house inventory is available for browsing and purchasing.
Selling — How Do I Begin?
Material to be sold must be mounted in one of five types of
sales books, available for purchase at cost from Sales Division.
Each sales book measures 5 x 8 inches; items larger than those
dimensions cannot be accepted.
• Single stamps — 16 pages, 12 spaces per page.
• Blocks of stamps — 16 pages, 6 spaces per page.
• 8-Page single stamps — 8 pages, 12 spaces per page.
• 8-Page blocks of stamps — 8 pages, 6 spaces per page.
• Covers — 14 pages, each having a pocket.
The Sales Division also sells mounts for use with the sales
books. They are closed on three sides, and each has a flap on
the fourth side with a self-adhesive strip on the back. Mounts
are available for definitives and standard commemoratives, large
single stamps, definitive blocks of four, and commemorative
plate blocks.
Detailed Buying and Selling instructions, suggestions, and
rules are printed in each sales book.
I Have the Books — Now What?
• The seller mounts, describes, and prices items within each
sales book, and sends the completed book(s) to the Sales
Division.
• The Sales Division checks each book for pricing, clarity of
description, and proper mounting, and assigns the book
to an appropriate category.
• For the protection of sellers, the contents of each book are
photographed when received and an acknowledgment of
receipt is sent.
Circulation Time
Sales books are circulated for approximately eighteen
months, after which time they are processed for retirement and
returned to the owner with payment for items sold. The seller
may elect to have a book circulate for twenty-four months.
A book will be retired before eighteen months if there is less
than $10 in unsold material remaining.
Retired books may be offered on our clearance circuits at a
discount for the selling of the contents as one lot.
Summer Seminar participants enjoy some time in the Sales Division.
Payment and Charges
Payment is made to the seller upon retirement of the sales
book, after deduction of appropriate charges:
• 20% commission on material sold.
• 2% insurance charge, based on value of the unsold material
in the book at retirement. (This provides complete
coverage against loss or damage while the material is in
the hands of the Sales Division.)
• Return postage.
• Any fines levied by examiners for improperly identified
items.
All Sales Division charges are deducted at the time of
retirement and are itemized on the retirement statement.
Contact the Sales Division today to get started.
Phone: 814-933-3803, ext. 228 • E-mail: salesdiv@stamps.org
Translation Service Available
As an APS member, you can obtain translations of philatelically related material —
letters, cancellations, inscriptions on stamps, FDC cachets — through the APS Translation
Service. Translations of practically all major languages can be accomplished by the more
than fifty members of the Translation Committee.
FEES: Short translations generally are provided at no charge; in some cases a small fee is assessed. For
difficult or complex translations, higher charges are assessed. All fees, including postage, are set before the
translation is begun, along with a price limit.
As a general rule, three times the postage necessary to send the translation to APS should be enclosed
with the submitted material to cover all forwarding and return postage requirements. Do not send
original material unless it is impossible to make clear photocopies. If it is necessary to send an original
document, send it either by registered or insured mail.
Send all requests to: Bobby Liao, Translation Committee Chairman; c/o American Philatelic
Society, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823; e-mail apstranslations@
gmail.com; website: sites.google.com/site/apstranslationservice/
You Can Help: If you are able to translate from or to another language and are willing to serve as a member of the
Translation Committee, please offer your services directly to Bobby Liao.
APS Handbook of Services 9
Buy & Sell Online with APS
www.StampStore.org
Visit APS StampStore — your online philatelic marketplace
for stamps, covers, and other philatelic items.
• No bidding or waiting — you see it, you like
it, you buy it!
• APS 30-day money-back guarantee on any
item not as described.
• Buy from fellow APS member/collectors.
• Secure, safe online transactions.
• Speedy shipment of orders.
• More than 225,000 items available, with new
items added every business day.
• Looking for philatelic literature? StampStore
also features many new and used books.
How To Sell
If you are interested in selling philatelic items on StampStore,
contact Internet Sales by phone 814-933-3803, ext. 270; by fax
814-933-6128; or e-mail us at stampstore@stamps.org. We will
send you a “free starter packet” that includes submission forms,
instructions, and samples of how to prepare material for our
online sales. Submission forms and instructions also are available
online at www.stampstore.org.
How To Buy
With more than 225,000 items, it might be difficult to figure
out where to begin shopping. Never fear, the “Search Stamps”
feature is a very useful tool for the online shopper.
Search Tips
Searching the more than 225,000 items is very easy! For
the best shopping experience, you will need to narrow
your results to find material that best fits your interests.
However, the more search criteria you enter (e.g. Scott
number range, cost, used or unused, etc.) the fewer
results you will receive. You can always broaden the
search by eliminating some of the criteria.
Your Order
Order Fulfillment/Shipping Fees
Orders are shipped the first business day after payment
is processed for purchases. APS strives to keep our
shipping rates at a minimum. A fee of up to $3.95 + 2%
(insurance/handling) of the order total is charged for
orders shipped within the United States (foreign rates
are higher). Full details and a shipping fee schedule is
available at www.stampstore.org.
Customs and Import Duties will apply if the purchaser is
considered the importer of record, and must comply with
all laws and regulations of the country to which the order
is being sent. Contact the local customs office for further
information.
The APS Guarantee states that the American Philatelic
Society stands behind every item sold at StampStore.org.
You have thirty days after the order is shipped from
StampStore.org to return material that is not as described
to receive your money back.
Expertizing an item you purchase can be done by selecting
the “expertize” box on the checkout page. The fee is $25
per stamp. On average the process takes less than 45
days. When we receive the opinion, we will contact you
by phone or e-mail, at which time you may reject the
item if the Expert Committee finds it to be other than as
described by the seller. You will be refunded the full sale
price as well as the expertizing fee.
Log On Today!
www.StampStore.org
to discover one of the Internet’s most popular
philatelic shopping experiences.
Phone: 814-933-3803, ext. 270 • E-mail: stampstore@stamps.org
10 APS Handbook of Services
APS Shows
Each year the APS runs two shows that
rotate around the country. AmeriStamp Expo
is held in January or February and StampShow
in August. For most years, APS StampShow is
the largest philatelic event held anywhere in the
world. StampShow often includes more than
150 dealers buying and selling stamps, 15,000
pages of competitive exhibits, multiple first day
ceremonies, 150 or more seminars, a public
auction, and a youth area.
All members are welcome to attend the free
events, and many affiliates hold meetings and
seminars in conjunction with the APS shows.
Future APS Show:
APS StampShow 2014
August 21–24
Hatford, Connecticut
APS AmeriStamp Expo 2015
February 13–15
Riverside, California
APS StampShow 2015
August 20–23
Grand Rapids, Michigan
New York 2016
May 22–29
World Philatelic Exhibition
APS StampShow 2016
August 4–7
Portland, Oregon
Visit www.stamps.org for show details,
travel and hotel accommodations, things to
do in the area, etc.
Check out the APS
Show Calendar!
In addition to our own shows, the
APS accredits more than thirty annual
national shows. To find
information on these
and other local shows in
your area, visit the APS
Show Calendar online or
browse the Show Time
column in The American
Philatelist where listings
of upcoming shows are
provided.
History at the
American Philatelic Center
It’s well worth a visit!
The American Philatelic Center has much more to offer than just
the vast resources of the Library and Reference Collection and the
opportunity to peruse sales circuits for bargains. A few highlights
include:
The Match Factory — The American Philatelic Center includes the
18-building former industrial complex constructed under the direction
of the Pennsylvania Match Company in 1899. Listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, the complex was one of the eight largest
match factories in the United States, with as many as 400 employees.
Headsville, West Virginia, Post Office — The Civil War-era post
office and general store that resided in the
Smithsonian’s National Museum of American
History for more than 25 years now is on loan
as a contract postal unit for the APS. View
inscriptions written on the shutters by Civil
War soldiers, the original fixtures, and the
building that served as a model for the 8-cent
Mail Order U.S. postage stamp.
Bellefonte Air Mail Pioneers — For
ten years, from 1918 to 1927, Bellefonte was
a regular stop for the fearless pilots of the
early U.S. air mail service. See actual photos
of the early air mail field and equipment as well as a memorial to those
who perished flying “Hell’s Stretch,” as the mountainous area around
Bellefonte was known.
The Rosback Rotary Perforator — The 1915 machine was used
to perforate 6,641 sheets of the 1-cent gray green Washington stamp
issued August 15, 1919 (Scott 536) — the last of the offset Washington
Franklins.
Mail-O-Meter — The Mail-O-Meter, purchased for and donated to
the APS by Kurt and Joann Lenz, was made in 1906 and was used to seal
envelopes and to separate and apply stamps.
Visit www.stamps.org/Show-Calendar/
APS Handbook of Services 11
Quick I.D.
Do you want to buy a stamp on the Internet,
but aren’t sure it is properly identified?
Do you have a question about a stamp you
already own?
Quick I.D. can help identify that stamp. This is a quick identification
service for items not normally listed in the standard postage catalogues,
such as foreign revenue stamps, charity labels, local stamps, etc. Please
note that it is not an official opinion of authenticity as offered by our
Expertizing Service.
Quick I.D. or Expertizing?
Submitting Items Online
If you own a computer and a scanner, the process is
quick and easy using the Quick I.D. upload wizard! Go to
www.stamps.org/stamp-identification
STEP 1: Scan Images
Scanning tips are available online to help you.
STEP 2: Upload Images
Upload each image by using the online browse
feature.
STEP 3: Send Images
Continue to an online form where you will be asked to
fill in the required information and click on Send.
That’s it! Within four working days, you will receive an
e-mail with a link to your Quick I.D. Report.
Submitting Items by Mail
For members without scanning capabilities, you may
submit a good quality color photocopy of the item, along with
a submission form. The forms are available online in printable
.pdf format at www.stamps.org/stamp-identification or you
may request a form by calling 814-933-3803. Please remember
to include a check and/or credit card number as indicated on
the form to cover the Quick I.D. fees.
Send the photocopy, submission form, and payment to:
Quick I.D., 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte PA 16823.
Quick I.D. Fees
$5 per scanned item (APS member price) or
$10 per scanned item (non-APS member price)
12 APS Handbook of Services
Which service do I use?
Quick I.D. Is Information
Quick I.D. provides basic
information based on an image of
a stamp. We usually can provide
the country or issuing entity and
design type. We frequently can
provide a catalogue number
and approximate value, but
the opinion is not guaranteed.
Identification is normally provided within four working
days of submission.
Expertizing Is Protection
Expertizing is appropriate to protect your investment
and avoid financial loss or disappointment. For some rare
stamps with a common design it can be nearly impossible
to make a sale without a formal Expertizing Certificate.
Expertizing provides a guaranteed opinion detailing
a stamp’s identity and condition. Quick I.D. may be
sufficient to determine if a stamp has been reperfed,
but Expertizing is usually needed to detect more subtle
alterations like regumming or repairs.
Sophisticated equipment, experts around the country,
our own Reference
Collection, and the
resources of the largest
public philatelic library
are used to examine the
actual stamp. Typical
turn-around time is
less than 45 days, but
some items require as
long as 90 days.
Authentication Service
We Expertize the World!
Since 1903 the American Philatelic Expertizing Service
(APEX) has reviewed more than 206,000 postage stamps,
covers, and other philatelic material. APEX utilizes the
services of more than 110 specialists and a variety of
high-tech equipment to provide guaranteed opinions.
Anyone may submit material to the service, but APS
members receive discounted rates. Member rates, based on
catalogue value of the material submitted, begin at $20 for items
valued at up to $200. Each item is returned with a certificate
bearing a color scan and a written opinion detailing its identity
and condition.
The Need for Certification
Why Expertize?
is returned to the owner. Any comments from the experts
become part of the permanent file kept by the service.
• To have proper identification of paper, color, watermark
and grills
• On average, the process takes less than 45 days from receipt
to return. However, because the service is operated via
the mail and your stamp may be reviewed by up to five
experts, we ask that you allow 90 days before contacting
us. An item will not be accepted for expertizing if the
owner insists upon a deadline for its return.
• To know if a stamp is never hinged or has been regummed
or had a cancel removed
• All items are insured for their full value from receipt until
we return them to you.
• To avoid financial loss and disappointment
• To have a warranty of genuineness
• To know if a stamp has been repaired or has hidden flaws
• To know if an item has been reperforated or perfs have
been trimmed to resemble a coil or imperforate stamp
• To make it easier to sell your item!
While outright counterfeits may not be as prolific today as
they once were, modern alteration and or repair of genuine items
to increase their value has been spurred by the demand for highquality material. The desire for perfection has led to extensive
repairing and regumming of the classic issues of all countries.
To Submit an Item
Each item must be accompanied by a submission form.
Forms may be downloaded from the APS website or obtained by
sending a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope to: APEX, 100
Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823. Guidelines and fees
for submitting items are printed on each form.
Once Submitted
• Each item received is assigned a number and scanned.
That scan is kept on permanent file and is printed on
the certificate when it is returned to the owner after the
process has been finalized.
• Items are directed to experts by registered mail. (Your name
will not be shared with the experts; and, likewise, the
identities of the experts are not shared.)
• A formal opinion is printed on the certificate and the item
Occasionally, when the required unanimous opinion cannot
be reached by experts, the service declines to render an opinion
and refunds all fees, minus a nominal administrative charge.
The APEX Guarantee
APEX is the only major expertizer that provides a guarantee.
APS will compensate the owner of a philatelic item that has been
wrongly certified as genuine or misidentified up to $5,000. Full
details of the guarantee are provided on every certificate.
The service renders opinions only on genuineness; it
respectfully declines requests for market value and for
statements of centering and numerical grading, but it will note
defects and alterations not readily apparent.
Reference Collection
Many items that have been judged “not genuine”
subsequently have been donated to the American Philatelic
Reference Collection of Fakes and Forgeries. This provides a
tremendous resource and also removes spurious material from
the marketplace. The collection is housed in the American
Philatelic Center, and researchers may use it there. Donations of
known counterfeits are welcomed at any time.
For More Information visit
www.stamps.org
Call: 814-933-3803, ext. 205 or 206
E-mail: mercer@stamps.org or krharter@stamps.org
APS Handbook of Services 13
Protecting Your Collection
Insure It • What To Do if It Is Stolen • Plan Your Estate
APS Stamp Insurance
Collect Defensively
APS, Hugh Wood Inc. & You
Thieves Like Stamps, Too!
The perfect partnership for
the protection of your collection.
The APS considers the
endorsement of any product
or service a serious matter
and recommends only
the best available to the
membership. Hugh Wood,
Major Causes for
Inc. is the official insurance
Philatelic Loss
broker for the APS Stamp
• Fire • Theft • Water • Travel
• Shipping • Accidental Damage
Insurance Program. The
prestige of the APS and the
strength of our membership has enabled us to establish this
Stamp Insurance Plan. Compare the coverage and cost of this
plan with your current insurance, and we are confident that
you will agree.
Hugh Wood, Inc. —
the right choice for stamp insurance.
Principal Plan Benefits
• Easy application process:
— call toll free 1-888-APS-6494
— apply online at www.hughwood.com
— send an e-mail to aps@hughwood.com
— send a fax to 1-814-933-3826
— by mail to HWI at the address below
• No inventory or appraisal is required for any single item
valued less than $25,000.
• No exclusion for losses from an unattended automobile.
• No exclusion for items transported in the hold of an
aircraft.
• Collections of all sizes and value are welcome. Premiums
start at just $25 annually.
• No potential tax liability — the insurance program is
filed in all fifty states.
Hugh Wood, Inc.
220 Match Factory Place
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Toll Free: 1-888-APS-6494
www.hughwood.com
HWI/APS Stamp Insurance is exclusively for
APS members — designed by collectors for collectors.
14 APS Handbook of Services
Because philatelic collections are both portable and
negotiable, they are especially attractive to thieves. You can
protect your collection by taking several precautions:
• Use security measures like burglar-resistant safes,
burglar alarm systems, bank vaults, and the careful
recording of important philatelic material.
• Photograph, scan, or photocopy the valuable items in
your collection. Keep that record in a safe place, but
never with the collection itself.
• Know the terms of your APS
collector insurance policy and
abide by those terms.
If You Have a Theft
If you are the victim of a stamp
theft, touch nothing and follow these
steps:
• Call the police immediately and
describe your loss as clearly as
possible. Request a copy of the police report for later
reference.
• Contact the APS Stamp Theft Committee by e-mail at
stamptheft@stamps.org. Its services are available to all
victims of stamp theft.
• Advise the investigating officers that you have
contacted the APS Theft Committee.
The committee immediately collects information — times,
dates, locations, and facts that will be used as a basis for the
file on your specific case. After an initial interview, victims
are sent a detailed questionnaire and an inventory loss form
to complete and return. The information becomes part of a
confidential file and is available for the committee to use in
identifying your stolen property.
Some stamp thefts are reported to the Federal Bureau
of Investigation. Records are maintained for quick reference
as questions arise and are used for statistical studies of theft
locations, frequency, and amount of losses.
To report a theft
E-mail: stamptheft@stamps.org
Planning Your Philatelic Estate
Protect the future of your collection
Leave Instructions for Your Heirs
We frequently hear from the heirs of former members asking
for assistance in disposing of a member’s collection. While we do
assist through our Estate Advisory Service, it is much more likely
that your wishes will be fulfilled if you plan ahead. With advance
planning you may minimize estate taxes, better ensure that your
collection is distributed in accordance with your desires, and
help get maximum value from your material.
First things first! Stress that the collection needs care.
Storage in a basement or attic for two years may be very
detrimental. And, if your collection is insured, be sure to
provide policy and contact information.
The careful planning of one’s estate requires the preparation
of an inventory, an honest valuation, a plan for distribution, and
selection of an administrator.
1. Inventory. Keeping your material organized will insure
that it can be easily inspected and the better items
identified. That is why one of the most important
documents is an inventory of your collection. Don’t
panic, this does not necessarily have to be a complete
list of stamps and other items — but it should include
different collections or exhibits, number of albums
and title of their contents, the nature of loose stamps,
literature, etc. The list should also identify the location of
the items (book case in stamp room, bank vault, etc.) and
if any items have expert certificates.
2. Honest Evaluation. A common mistake is that the
collector has not shared an honest evaluation with
anyone else. We hear far too many horror stories about
collections for which the value was hidden from other
family members who, not realizing the collection
represented significant value, simply pitched it. And
it is also not uncommon to hear about the crestfallen
spouse who believes the collection of modern U.S. first
day covers is worth $50,000. If you don’t want the value
of your collection known while you are alive, at least
provide a reasonable estimate in the documents you
leave behind to be opened after your death. In making
an inventory, list catalogue value, replacement value, and
estimated price that might be realized at a forced sale.
3. Plan for Distribution. Ask yourself a few questions:
• Do I want to pass my collection on to others?
• Do I want portions that may not have much value
used to promote stamp collecting to kids?
• Have I promised any item(s) to a fellow collector?
• Do I want my family members to benefit financially
from the sale of my collection?
Whatever your designated wishes, it is important to provide
precise written instructions. It is also beneficial to provide a list
of any dealers or auction houses that you wish to be used or that
are familiar with dealing with similar material. Also indicate any
friends who know the material and might be willing or have
agreed to help prepare your material for sale. Remember, your
heirs may get swamped with alleged promises, so protect them
by providing a written record of any designations and relevant
contact information that can be easily found and shared with
your administrator.
4. Select an Administrator. Many individuals designate a
family member as executor for their estate, but if your
family has little philatelic knowledge you may be better
off choosing a trusted friend who understands your
collection. Precise instructions on specific items may
prove difficult to implement without a basic knowledge
of stamp collecting. There is nothing that prevents you
from designating a “sub-executor” for your philatelic
collection who is different than the main executor. If you
do not have anyone you feel comfortable with appointing
as your philatelic administrator, you may refer your heirs
to the APS Estate Advisory Service and provide details
of how we can be reached (see below for special Estate
Labels).
Planning Resources:
• Estate Advisory Labels — Self-stick identification labels
are available free to APS members who want their heirs
to use the APS Estate Advisory Service — Call 814-9333803 ext. 201.
• APS Dealer and Chapter Listings are available to help
find individuals who would be interested in purchasing
your collection. (For listings contact APS or visit
www.stamps.org/dealers for dealer listing and
www.stamps.org/local-clubs for chapter listing.)
When an Estate Plan Has NOT been Provided
Heirs of APS members may contact the APS Estate
Advisory Service. Information is available online at:
www.stamps.org or by calling 814-933-3803.
APS Handbook of Services 15
We Are Here To Serve You
Managing Your Membership Is Easy
APS Members Enjoy a Variety of Benefits from the Administration Office
• Maintain your membership record by notifying
us any time you have a change in your contact
information or even when you go on an extended
vacation. Permanent summer or winter vacation
addresses can be stored so that your copy of The
American Philatelist will be routed automatically to the
appropriate address.
• Register up to six collecting interests to take
advantage of specialized mailing list offers and
exchange partner requests.
• Verify the membership status of any present or
former APS member.
• Get in touch with other collectors with APS
directories of local stamp clubs, dealers in your area,
and specialty societies geared to your collecting
interests.
• Request mailing lists tailored by collecting interest,
zip code areas, or by date of membership. There are
requirements and fees for requesting a mailing list —
call the APS for more details.
• Resolve disputes with other APS members by
taking advantage of the complaint process. Members
found guilty of conduct unbecoming a member are
subject to discipline and possible expulsion from
membership.
Membership Questions?
Call 814-933-3803
Address Changes • ext. 201
Membership Verification • ext. 201, 210
Register Collecting Interests • ext. 201
Request Mailing Lists • ext. 210
Member Disputes • ext. 202
Dealer Status • ext. 210
Recruiting Materials • ext. 210
To receive periodic e-mail announcements from APS, make sure we
have your current e-mail address and enter “apsnews@stamps.org”
in your computer’s e-mail address book.
Professional Stamp Dealers
Any member of the APS, age 21 or older, who earns a living
by dealing in stamps or other philatelic items (in business at
least two years) may apply for dealer membership as a fulltime or part-time APS dealer. Dealer membership is provided
to identify professional members as a benefit to the entire
membership. There are APS dealers who can guide you in
expanding your collection, in learning about or disposing of
an inherited collection, or helping you to sell your duplicates.
Fellow members can search the dealer database online at www.
stamps.org/dealers by business name, city, state/country, or
by business specialty; and for those that do not have Internet
access, you can request a printed listing from the APS at 100
Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823.
For more information about contacting a dealer near you or
about the benefits of becoming an APS dealer, visit www.stamps.
org/dealers or call 814-933-3803, ext. 210.
Support the Hobby, Invite
a Fellow Collector To Join the APS
And Earn $5 Cash!
That’s right, for every individual joining the APS as a
result of your referral, we will send you $5! Use it to buy
lunch, purchase APS items, return it as a tax-deductible
contribution, or use it towards next year’s dues!
Do you know a friend, relative, or neighbor
who might appreciate membership in the APS?
Sponsor them for membership — it’s easy!
• Simply send us their name and address — we
will send information to join with you listed as
“Proposer.”
• Request applications from the APS — print your
name and APS number in the space provided for
“Proposer” and pass it to a fellow collector.
• Business Reply Cards (BRCs) — request BRCs from
the APS, stamp your name and APS # on each
card as referral, and then include them in your
philatelic correspondence, display them at a store
or a stamp bourse, or hand them out at a club
meeting.
For information contact: judy@stamps.org
Phone: 814-933-3803, ext. 210